My husband is 5 and 6 weeks post surgery and is having alot of trouble sleeping.  He cannot seem to fall into a deep sleep and is up and down for hours, very restless.  He has tried Ambien and Ambien CR and they are not working.  Anyone else have trouble after surgery?

Hello.
    I had a lot of trouble sleeping before and after my surgeries.  The Ambien and Ambien CR didn't do anything for me.  It took me about three weeks to get any sleep before 3 am.  (I believe my old mattress is partly to blame.)  I would talk to your husband's doctor about other sleeping meds. Just my opinion.  Best of luck!     MMnewtUt/ Natalie

Hello~

Ask your doctor about a sleep study.
It could be that your cousin isn't getting enough air and wakes up to breath. it's called 'Apnea".
A 'sleep machine' can help one go thru all the sleep stages one requires and provide a better nights rest.

An interesting book is 'The Promise of Sleep' by Wm Dement (from Stanford univ). It probably has more info that a single person needs but....
The book has a listing of sleep study centers, but you could get a list on line tooo I'd imagine.  There's a list of web sites for apnea help and for the many other types of sleep disorders.

All this information would put me right to sleep!
Sweet dreams!

Linda A

I was diagnosed with depression after my stroke and had problems trying to fall asleep.  I would go to sleep around 2 am and would wake around 4 or 5 am.  I was a real zombie...before my dr. put me on sleep meds.  After my surgeries, it took a couple of months before I was sleeping like a baby.  [smiley=snore.gif] Party due to the incisions, I had to sleep with a bed pad on my pillow for approx. a month after surgery (I had a weepy incision and had to get couple of extra stitches put in).  I spoke to my neurologist and noticed that I still have times when I have problems sleeping.  He told me to try the lowest dose of melatonin (a natural sleep aid, which seems to help me) [smiley=sleep.gif] before going back on prescription meds.  I too, suggest that you talk to your physician regarding his sleeplessness.

Aloha,
Jan

I too, have problem with my sleeping after surgery, and ambien didn't help, I did have sleep study and find that I'm fine when I go sleep, my doctor let me try 3 different type of relaxing and sleep but it didn't help much either, but walking is help, run around to play w/kids, and gardening help me sleep very well.  Hope it help.

Kieu

PS: Doctor said that when the stress level too high the sleeping pill not working.

I am a stomach sleeper and my favorite side was my surgey side. It took me about 2 months to sleep the full night. I had to train my body to sleep on the other side. I did not take sleeping pills at all. I just took alot of naps. I went back to work a month after my surgery and everyday i would come home and need a nap.  

It just takes time for your body to heal and your body needs to ajust. Some take longer then others. i would advise not to take sleeping aids with out cunsulting your doctor. Depending on what medication you are taking you might be doing more dammage then if you sleep when you can.

I hope this helps.  Sweet dreams.
Becky

i had my surgeries in 2000 and 2001 and i still have to take naps during the day.  i get tired very easily even after 7 years/

amy